Most students at Cal State Fullerton can look forward to the holidays and winter break as a chance to relax and spend time with family after a grueling semester.

Student-athletes like those on the men’s and women’s basketball teams, however, don’t have that luxury.

Many college tournaments are scheduled on or around major holidays, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas and Hanukkah.

The CSUF men’s basketball program hosted several games of the DirectTV Wooden Legacy event over Thanksgiving, which brought some of the nation’s most competitive teams to Fullerton. CSUF played games from Nov. 28 to Dec. 1.

The Titan women also played in a tournament over Thanksgiving at the Saint Mary’s College Hilton Classic in Moraga, Nov. 29-30.

Both teams have games scheduled between Christmas and New Year’s. The men’s team travels to play UNLV on Saturday. The women’s team goes on the road to Boise State for a game Sunday.

Coaches often create a home away from home for players, as one’s basketball family can become like one’s immediate family.

The women’s team had Thanksgiving together in Northern California during its tournament.

“It’s unusual for players to have more than maybe four days off during the break,” said CSUF women’s basketball head coach Daron Park. “But we’re a family, so it’s another excuse for us to be around each other as a family during the holidays.”

CSUF men’s basketball coach Dedrique Taylor invited his team to his Southern California home for Thanksgiving dinner.

“It’s a unique situation for me,” Taylor said. “I get to integrate my professional family with my personal family, which makes for a really good mix because my family loves sports. The players get chance to come over and eat everything in sight and have a good time being around each other.”

Because basketball stretches from the winter season to the spring, players must sacrifice their academic winter break for training and the bulk of conference play.

“It’s like a job. This is what we do,” said Chante Miles, a junior guard on the women’s team. “You have to make sacrifices to do what you love to do.”

First-year players sometimes struggle with the transition from being away from family for an extended period of time, and that transition can be intensified during holidays.

Upperclassmen find themselves taking on leadership roles, having once been in a freshman’s place.

“You always have somebody there. You’re going through the same thing, so it’s a lot easier when someone else is going through the same thing,” said Jared Brandon, a sophomore on the men’s team. “All we can do is be there for them.”

Cal State Fullerton does have an advantage because of its location.

All 13 of CSUF women’s basketball players are California natives, while nine of CSUF men’s players are also from California.

The high number of local players makes it easier for families to visit and attend games as well.

“There’s a comfort level for our guys to know that their family is close by, and they can look forward to spending some time over the holidays,” said Taylor.

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